Philip Costa

Philip Costa is an Associate Professor of Academic Success and Bar Preparation at Southwestern Law School. A seasoned jurist and educator with over three decades of experience, he transitioned to full-time faculty in July 2025 after 15 years as a U.S. Immigration Judge and 6 years as an adjunct professor at Southwestern. Costa earned his B.A., summa cum laude, from New York University College of Arts and Science (1989) and his J.D., magna cum laude, from New York University School of Law (1992), where he served as a teaching assistant for a torts course.

• Education:
  • B.A., summa cum laude, New York University College of Arts and Science, 1989
  • J.D., magna cum laude, New York University School of Law, 1992

His career spans roles as Deputy Chief Counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, litigator at Chadbourne & Parke, and educator. Costa emphasizes ethical advocacy and innovation in legal education, focusing on empowering students to drive systemic fairness and justice.

Research interests include enhancing legal pedagogy for bar exam success, advocacy training, and interdisciplinary approaches to academic support. His prior work involved administrative prosecution of human rights violators and designing national training programs in trial advocacy and legal writing.

Costa's professional contributions include extensive pro bono work in eviction defense, recognized as award-winning in New York City Housing Court. He has also engaged in clinical legal education through volunteer work at the Legal Aid Society and a criminal defense clinical program during law school.